East Lothian

The Result

Electorate: 69,934
Area (Hectares): 67,772

East Lothian stretches east from Edinburgh along the south shore of the Firth of Forth, to the North Sea coast. It comprises mostly agricultural land and seaside towns such as Musselbugh, Cockenzie, North Berwick and Dunbar. Tourism is important to the economy here, the resorts and the championship golf course at Muirfield, attract thousands of visitors each year. Coal mining used to take place at Prestonpans and Ormiston, and there is still a coal-fired power station at Cockenzie.

At first sight this region does not seem to be a natural Labour voting area, however, Labour holds the parliamentary seat of East Lothian and holds over three quarters of the seats on the council. The Conservatives are the only other party with seats on the council. Their support is based around the coastal resorts in the east of the region.

Results of 1979 referendum:

ICM/Scotsman poll published on 22 August 1997:

		Yes		No		Don't know
All Scotland		68%		21%		11%
Lothian, Fife and Central		68%		25%		7%

Question:Should a Scottish Parliament have tax-varying powers?

		Yes		No		Don't know
All Scotland		56%		36%		8%
Lothian, Fife and Central		57%		40%		3%

(Total Sample Size: 1,001, Fieldwork: 19-20 August 1997)